Reviews

The Ardmore 2008 from Signatory Vintage is a Highland whisky which, with its 13 years of maturation, impressively demonstrates how complex and exciting the smoky whiskies from the Ardmore distillery can be.

The Glenfiddich Reserve Cask is another whisky from the famous Speyside distillery that fits perfectly into the line of Glenfiddich's Cask Collection. With 40 % vol. and no age statement, this single malt is clearly aimed at the masses. It is a whisky that was made for many occasions, but can it also score points with more discerning connoisseurs? A look at the details shows that this whisky is one thing above all: accessible.

When a whisky spends almost three decades in a cask, the anticipation builds up almost as intensely as the flavours in the wood. The Glenturret 29 Years 1987/2017, bottled by Cadenhead's, comes along quietly at 42.1 % vol. - but what is hidden behind this inconspicuous facade?

The Glenfiddich Select Cask brings with it exciting promises: an exclusive maturation in European, Bourbon and red wine casks. This cask selection is intended to give the whisky a rich, versatile range of flavours and is part of the Glenfiddich Cask Collection. With its 40 % vol. and the typical charm of a Speyside whisky, it is aimed primarily at beginners and lovers of soft, accessible whiskies. But does the Select Cask live up to its promise?

The Betz distillery from Germany is known for its creative experiments - and the Jamaica Rum Cask Batch 1 is definitely one of them. With an ABV of 51.00 %, this whisky with an age statement of 5 years is a strong calibre that whets the appetite for Caribbean flavours right from the name. But does the whisky deliver what the rum cask promises? Well, let's put it this way: it's unforgettable. Unfortunately.

When a whisky comes from the Speyside region and has an impressive 60.1% vol., the expectations are clear: intensity, complexity and a touch of adventure. This is exactly what the Alistair Walker Whisky Company delivers with its bottling of Allt-a-Bhainne 2005 from the ‘Infrequent Flyers’ series. But how does this 17-years drop really perform in the glass?

If whisky bottles could talk, the Royal Brackla 10 years from James Eadie would probably whisper in a charming Highland accent: ‘Try me, you won't regret it!’.

When you taste a whisky from Islay, you expect a smoky, maritime explosion - and that's exactly what the Caol Ila 9 Years 2015/2024 from James Eadie delivers, with an enormous elegance that inspires. This distillate takes us on a journey to the wild coasts of Islay.

The Scottish Speyside is known for its diverse and complex whiskies, but the Craigellachie 2013/2024 Margaux Cask sets new standards. This exclusive bottling from the independent bottler Berry Bros & Rudd combines the striking characteristics of the Craigellachie Distillery with the sophistication of a Margaux cask.

The Single Malt Miyagikyo Aromatic Yeast Edition 2022 from the renowned Miyagikyo Distillery in Japan brings an extraordinary nuance to the world of Japanese whisky. Developed with a specialised research team and special attention to the fermentation process, this whisky is characterised by the use of a special yeast and a longer fermentation - a process that is intended to create exciting flavours.

Nikka The Grain Whisky was an exciting new release from Japan that is making whisky fans around the world sit up and take notice. This experimental special edition, which was launched in 2023, is a blend of seven different whiskies and, at 48% ABV, offers a powerful yet smooth flavour journey.

Anyone wanting to enter the world of Japanese whisky should have the Yoichi single malt on their list. The Yoichi Distillery on Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, produces this whisky using a particularly exciting technique: it is still distilled in the traditional way, directly over a coal fire! This not only gives the Yoichi single malt its unmistakable character, but also a certain ‘campfire’ flavour - with a moderate smoke content of around 15 ppm.